Avatar: The Legend of Shen Ultimate Pastebin

Side Stories: http://pastebin.com/UmQhLn8g
Stories already written:
Fanfic style:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10916566/1/Avatar-The-Legend-of-Shen - Set up for Kimiko and Poi, overarching story set up
http://pastebin.com/AxDE2gNF - Energybending story
http://pastebin.com/Efj8Susa - Sand tribe setup, Shen and Bayar introduction
http://pastebin.com/DEqZ8W3D - Shen travels through the swamp

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Prologue:
>Korra's Birth: Year 0
>LOK Finale: 21
>Korra Disappears: 58
>Korra Dies, Earth Avatar Born: 80
>Earth Avatar Series Begins: 96

Background:
>'80s-style time period
>Cold war between United Earth Republic and Fire Nation, who are competing in colonization of the Spirit World
>Northern Water Tribe is allied with FN, giving them access to the northern portal
>Southern Water Tribe is allied with UER, giving them access to the southern portal
>Air Temples and United Republic are neutral, and the central portal is highly sought after by both sides
>UER is formed of Ba Sing Se and a few other Earth Republic states
>The remaining states are independent, with a number of them alligned with FN
>The independent states vary in their political systems, raning from tribes to theocracy to aristocracy, etc.
>Both sides squabbling for power, trying to gain more Earth territory. It's unclear who would win if a full blown conflict emerged.  In a late-CW scenario when the avatar appears
>Suddenly the most valuable chip is in the game
>If either side has the Avatar, it means that the indecisive states would probably side with them, giving them an edge in the conflict
>Several states of the former EK + FN + SWT as NATO, while UER + NWT as Warsaw Pact
>Spirit weapons on both sides

Book 1:
>Introduce Shen and Bayar
>FN spies in the neutral Si Wong Desert region find out about Shen
>Kimiko (with Poi in tow) under Vachir's orders comes to recruit Shen (with Bayar in tow)
>Travel in the hopes to find an Airbending teacher while training in fire
>Eye_of_the_Tiger.mp4
>World-building as they travel from Air Temple to Air Temple, crossing through several Earth States and the Fire Nation along the way, occasionally taking on assignments from the FN
>As they travel, Shen and Kimiko begin to reevaluate their world views; Shen's firebending grows stronger as he begins to care about his mission, and Kim's firebending gets weaker as she begins to lose faith in her's
>Shen finally masters firebending when he uses it to defend a (FN-alligned) Earth State citizen from a malicious group of other sandbenders
>The Eastern, Southern, and Western Air Temples all turn them down.  Shen is noticably affected by the unconditional kindness that Ikki and her followers show him.
>On route to the Northern Air Temple, Shen finds out that his fire + sand display did not go unnoticed, and a master Earthbender named Mud challenges Shen to a fight, wanting to prove himself against the Avatar
>The fight is close, but when Mud starts to lose he gets desperate and tries to distract Shen by attacking Bayar
>This backfires, as it causes Shen to enter the Avatar State and brutally defeat Mud
>As Shen returns to normal, he meets Korra for the first time
>Meanwhile, the world learns of the Avatar's return, and the Suicide Squad (placeholder name) is sent by the UER to capture him

Book 2:
>Shen immediately starts butting heads with Korra.  She attempts to act as his conscience, but he holds her in low regard because the Avatar never helped his people, and (unlike him) she grew up with lots of support, never fearing starvation or fighting to survive.
>Shen begins to go out and fight people in his sleep.  He can't figure out why.  One of these incidents gets the group thrown in jail.
>In jail, they meet a con-artist named Lee, who helps them escape prison and reach the Northern Air Temple undetected
>They get turned down for the last time, as all the Air Nomads are staying neutral in the conflict
>Jinora and Korra wish to speak to one another (something made possible by Jinora's unique connection to the spirits), but Shen is still furious at Korra and refuses to let her at first.  Eventually he comes around and lets the two have a proper goodbye.
>A rebellious airbender kid  named Wang stows away with them when they leave the Air Temple
>After some squabbling about him coming with them at all, he offers to be Shen's teacher
>Team Avatar start training, but realize the SS is after them and need to keep moving
>Lee and Wang begin to bond
>Shen struggles to master airbending as his personal attachments to his people hold him back, while Poi learns to be more open and free about her feelings
>The FN arms the Sandbenders with experimental spirit weapons in the hopes that they'll attack the UER, but do to some disagreements these now super-dangerous Sandbenders attempt to do some conquering of their own
>Shen in called in to deal with the situation, but at the worst possible moment he has one of his "sleep fighting" moments while still awake.  He pushes the conflict past the possibility of a peaceful resolution, and when he regains control he is forced to use violence against the Sandbenders, disgusting Bayar.  The fact that the Fire Nation created this situation in the first place shakes Kim's faith in the FN.
>Bayar decides to leave Shen and return to his home village - He declares that Shen is no longer his brother.  Lee goes with Bayar.
>Shen is finally able to master Airbending by putting aside his attachments, but now Wang feels useless.
>Lee rats out the group to the SS, but gives Wang a heads up so he can escape
>The SS finally succeeds in capturing Shen, who gets thrown in a Dai Li prison to prep for brainwashing.

Book 3:
>Vachir gets the news that the Avatar has been captured by UER, and in panic sends troops to attack and rescue the Avatar
>Shen's brainwashing process begins, and he has visions.  Through these, he realizes that his "sleep fighting" is a result of Vaatu within him wrestling for control.
>Lee and Wang feel bad, and team up with Poi and Kim to rescue Shen
>Vachir returns to the FN after finding out Team Avatar is no longer there.  The Fire Lord is not happy.
>Shen trains in waterbending, mastering it quickly due to his newfound receptiveness to change.  Meanwhile, Bayar struggles with leading the Sandbenders and comes to sympathize with Shen's struggles.
>Vachir's attack causes tensions to rise between FN and UER.  He grows even more paranoid and reluctantly conducts a military coup, usurping the Fire Lord
>Bayar returns to the team and makes peace with his brother
>Vachir launches an attack on the UERs, and the UER retalliates
>Shen & co. must stop either side from pushing the confrontation into a full-blown spirit-nuclear war
>Shen takes on one army, while the rest of the team takes on the other.
>Shen is hit by a spirit weapon, which energizes Vaatu to the point that he can Shen now must wrestle for control of his spirit.  At some point in the fight, Shen has an epiphany, stops fighting Vaatu and accepts him, fusing him with Raava
>This gives him the power boost he needs to neutralize antagonists
>War averted, Shen bears witness to the signing of a peace treaty between the FN and UER

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Protagonists:

>Shen Ji, 16
>Sandbending Avatar
>Doesn't care about the outside world at first, is very attached to his tribe
>Parents are dead (he discovers he is the Avatar mourning his father's death); he and his brother live with one of his dad's old friends
>Sees beauty where others don't, and is fiercely defensive of outcasts.  Has a very low opinion of "Wetlanders" and sees them as spoiled, priveledged brats without real problems
>Looks up to Bayar, wishes to be like him
>Dislikes Kimiko initially, seeing her as snooty, but gradually comes to sympathize with her
>Maybe has a crush on Poi

>Bayar, 21
>Avatar's brother
>Was hailed as a sandbending prodigy before the discovery of the Avatar, and as a result he is slightly bitter/envious about his brother, but he is aware of these feelings and actively surpresses them
>Likes to be in control and for things to be predictable.  Fares poorly when he encounters the unusual or is forced to make quick decisions.
>Fiercely loyal to the sandbender tribe, and follows the Avatar into the outside world to keep him from losing touch with his roots
>Hates Kimiko initially, views her as a corruptor of Shen
>Wants to dislike Poi, but honestly can't fault her for anything other than occassionally being too loud
>Very reverant of spirits but knows little about them

>Kimiko, 19
>Rich, noble firebender
>A sophisticate with a superiority complex, she sets out on a mission to locate the Avatar and convince him to ally with the FN
>At first she sees Shen as a dirty, uncouth tool, but slowly starts to respect him and feel guilt over manipulating him
>Finds Bayar brutish and gross, but tries to be professional about it, but Bayar pushes her too far sometimes
>Loves Poi like a sister, but kind of takes her emotional support for granted and doesn't quite realize how much she is dependent on Poi.  Enjoys Poi's company because, unlike the rest of her social circle, she doesn't get involved in squabbles over the social pecking order and doesn't force Kim to be something she's not
>Ashamed that she can't lightningbend
>Uses small, efficient bursts of flame rather than big fireballs

>Poi, 16
>Waterbender handmaiden of Kimiko
>The daughter of hired servants from the volcanic islands surrounding the FN, she was born into Kimiko's household, where she grew alongside Kimiko as a sister, and now she is a happy-go-lucky and loyal friend of Kimiko
>She's also desperate for affection and terrified at the thought of someone not liking her
>Loves Kim as a sister, and values Kim's happiness to the point that she is willing to sacrifice her expession of negative feelings to avoid bringing her down
>Finds Sandbender culture fascinating, and is very curious about Shen and Bayar
>Uses a much less flowy form of waterbending based on Kiwi Hakka and Samoan Siva Tau, with lots of crashing waves
>Bring hammerpants into fashion!

>Lee, 24
>Con-artist extraordinaire
>A sleazy, smooth-talking con-man, he meets the team in prison
>Sees himself in Wang and becomes protective of him

>Wang, 14
>Airbending runaway
>Wang wants to be hardcore, but his temple won't let him (and he doesn't like his name)
>Is very proud of his power, and doesn't take blows to his ego well

>Asuza
>Rhino beetle
>Shen's best friend, whom he rescued from a life of pit-fighting
>She's virtually indestructible and can fly, but tires somewhat easily

>Korra's Spirit
>Speaks to Shen
>Her advice is usually about facilitating agreements and non-aggression, showing how she grew from where she started
>Doesn't talk about her disappearance
>Shen just ignores or argues with her for the most part

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Antagonists:

>Vachir
>A firebending General in the Fire Nation military, he is a FN zealot, is obsessed with FN history and is a collector of FN antiques
>Fear and paranoia of the UER motivates him to take drastic measures to ensure the survival of the FN
>He is from a FN allied Earth state, and his particular home state used to be a former state of the UER, before rebellions led them to independence

>"Suicide Squad" (placeholder name)
>A group of skilled non-benders hired by the UER to capture the Avatar
>Captain - A rugged, cantankerous, old ex-sea-captain, who stinks of fish and booze.  She is a master tactician and highly skilled with a boomerang
>Rhino - A juggernaut of a man who uses pure brute force to bring down his target
>Snake - A charming chi-blocker who uses his skills of acrobatics and stealth
>Eagle - A Yuyan archer, she functions as the marksman of the team

>Mud
>A powerful earthbender who specialises in crystalbending
>When he finds the Avatar, he becomes obsessed with fighting him to prove his position as the most powerful earthbender on the planet
>His name is ironic, AVATAH! Because mud is soft but he is HAAARRRRD!

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On Sandbender Tribes:
      Sandbenders are the product of their environment, seemingly selfish, greedy and thieves. the Value survival above all things, having learn to make do with less, Sandbenders are experts at putting every thing to use, what some might see as junk becomes vital necessities to a sandbender. Sandbenders horde water and supplies form rival tribes and in harsh seasons ether from other members of their own tribe. Despite what other members of the earth king believe not all Sand benders are thieves, some tribes choosing to cultivate cattle, or work as merchants, in the years after the 100 year war one tribe has even been known to work as tour guides, leading rich earth kingdom tourists on safari. The Stereotype that Sandbenders are raiders and thieves are well founded however, Several Tribes Exist solely on taking the belongings of travelers and other sandbender tribes, Freely taking water, cattle, valuables, and in some cases even people as ransom or slaves. even in Tribes that officially disdain from this dirty work, members looking to increase their own fortune will indulge in this banditry
    Sandbenders are very spiritual, Believing all of Si Wong desert is the mortal coil for a Great spirit who protects and punishes them accordingly. many Shamans and spiritualists walk straight out into the desert wearing nothing. if they can survive for 3 days they know the great spirit watches over them. Individual Tribes also pay tribute to individual spirits like totems for example a Tribe favoring Wisdom would pay tribute to Wan Shi Tong and venerate owls.
    Sandbenders have a seemingly old world view on gender. Women generally aren't fighters, and rarely do the venture from the Sandbender communes, Outsiders mistake this as a misogynist society. this is a false assumption as in Sandbender communities Women hold most the power all Shamans and Village leaders are women, and their secrets are guarded closely, the secrets of sandbending belong to them, and it is they who teach the younger generations the lore of the spirits, the customs of the people and the secret to controlling the sands. one of the few rules sandbenders Exercise is when conducting raids on other Tribes is to never attack the shamans and Chieftains, doing so would allow them to fight back, the sight of a fully trained shaman or chieftain sandbending has been compared to a howling Sandstorm.
    Sandbending resembles water bending and airbending because of the fluid nature of the rock but their is more to it then that, to truly master sand one must master their concentration. a master sand bender learns to feel ever sand grand as he bends it. Despite its similarity to other bending arts the idea of neutral jing, is stil lvery much present in sandbending, because sand flows so freely a sandbender learns fell how the sand will flow and bend it in the way he desires.
    Are The Sandbender tribes part of the Earth Kingdom? On the one hand they are earth benders, they live with in the earth Kingdoms border, and they do use Earth kingdom currency (amongst other things). However They Do not pay taxes, they do not respect the authority of the Earth kingdoms ruling body. the thing that probably gives a best answer to this is that Man Sandbenders hate the Earth kingdom and its rulers, and the Feeling is shared by the denizens of the Earth kingdom. There have been attempts on both sides to mend this but they always end in failure. Because of the scattered and tribal nature of Sandbenders and the vastness of the desert they cannon be conquered as a people. This also means the Sandbenders cannot unite to decide a common coarse for their people. Not helping this are the Sandbenders perceived nature as thieves and killers, and the the tribes to willing to live up to this stereotype. Because the Sandbender Shaman pass down all their tales orally, the Sandbenders remember every slight the Earth kingdom has inflicted upon their people. There are many tales of Criminals, Refuges and Political enemies exiled into the desert as punishment, to be adopted by or even become whole sandbender Tribes.
    Many stories of aid sought for Plague disease and famine being met with apathy and violence persist even into the current age.

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Other:
>Meelo, Jinora, Ikki and Rohan are the only ones still alive from LoK
>They each lead one of the four air temples
>Meelo leads a militaristic branch (Northern), with airbending ninjas who utilize soundbending
>Jinora leads a spiritual branch (Eastern), with a focus on reaching enlightenment
>Ikki leads a humanistic branch (Western), with a focus on charitable works
>Rohan is a non-bender who leads an academic branch (Southern), which focuses on education on the history of the Air Nomads, among other things

>Winebenders
>Waterbenders who fight in the drunken boxing style
>Seemingly chaotic, but always in control; their style is based around transitioning from seemingly weak, soft movements to strong, powerful movements, as such they only maintain definite shapes with their waterbending for split moments
>They can do most of their techniques while sober, but their unique training makes it so that alcohol improves thier skills/strengths; for this reason, they carry emergency bottles of booze at all times
>One is a laughing drunk, one an angry drunk, and the third member is an oblivious drunk who is semi-conscious for the best part
>As part of their philosophy, they embrace aspects of the lower class and downtrodden

>Detectives Hato and Kodo
>Lee's "connections"
>Hato is the impulsive and aggressive, firebending maverick of the duo, whilst Kodo is the cool and collected, waterbending by-the-books of the duo

"Knife Bitch" (placeholder name)
>A girl from a Sandbender Tribe that is in opposition to Shen's Tribe.
>On a pilgrimage of some sort
>Possible love interest for Shen